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Happy National Hug Day, people!
Yes, love them or loathe them, hugs now have a day of their own.
Which makes this the perfect time to talk about the power of a well-timed embrace—and why it might just be the secret weapon every workplace needs…
Growing up on a farm in Yorkshire, my family didn’t do hugs. Awkward waves? Absolutely. Handshakes? Maybe. But hugs? Never.
20 years ago, I was horrified when I entered the world of workshops—facilitation seemed to require hugs! The first time a colleague leant in for a cuddle, I went rigid.
But over time I’ve come to see ‘the hug’ as an incredible team hack. I’ve lost count of the senior leadership teams who’ve baulked when I engineered ‘hug moments’ into workshops… only to admit afterwards (begrudgingly!) they’d felt the benefit.
Hugs do more than break the ice – they set the stage for trust, openness, and connection. Debates over ‘resource allocation’ have a different tone when you’ve shared a slightly awkward but heartwarming hug.
The Science of the Squish
Hugs release serotonin, (the cuddle drug), which lowers stress and lifts mood.
But deeper than that –
A hug is a primal signal we trust the other person. Daniel Coyle observed that high-performing teams over-index on physical closeness and touch. Hugging acts as a shortcut to psychological safety—the foundation for productive, creative teams.
THE EXPERIMENT
Today, in honour of National Hug Day, try giving a marvellous, mutually consenting hug – to a colleague. Here’s my roadmap to a professional clinch:
Signal Intent Clearly –
“It’s National Hug Day! Normally, I’d go for a handshake or wave, but since we’ve worked together for ages, how about a quick hug?” (Pro tip: Read the room first – start with people you know well!)
Keep It Quick –
No need for a 10-second smooch. A light, friendly hug will do the trick.
Respect Boundaries –
Not a hugger? That’s fine! A sincere handshake or warm smile works wonders. Connection comes in many forms.
WHY TRY IT?
No one should be made to feel uncomfortable at work, and who needs another entitled, middle-aged man overstepping the intimacy mark?
But as we navigate hybrid work, it’s worth remembering we’re all wired for connection. The hug is a shortcut to feeling seen, valued, and safe.
If you’re not up for a hug, try other ways to close the gap (a high five, or fist bump!). But if you’re up for it, today’s the perfect excuse to embrace a stretch to your comfort zone!
How many hugs will you give today? Let me know how it goes – and follow our Calendar of January Joy on the TCX website for a daily ‘hit’ of happy!
Cop a free hug today –